Julie Darrell is a busy Mother of two living in Long Beach. She, like many of us, is very encouraged by the numerous steps our city has taken towards greener energy + more efficient water + waste systems. I find so much of what she has to share below to be simple + can be achieved by all Moms. She even shared some tips for new Moms that I'd love to get your feedback on. Read more here! -

Was there a single event that inspired you to create BYO Long Beach?Like many people who are the least bit environmentally conscious, I had already mastered recycling and bringing my own shopping bags to the grocery store long ago. Beyond that I wasn't doing much to make improvements. I borrowed ‘Zero Waste Home’ by Bea Johnson from my library and was so inspired. Many of the things in the book were things I had tried at one point but got lazy about over the years between having kids and working. I was also inspired by the changes happening politically. I figured that if our government wasn’t going to take strong enough action to fight for the environment, individuals needed to step up big time. I started an Instagram (account) to help inspire people to challenge themselves beyond what had become routine. I wanted to focus locally on Long Beach because I think this city is awesome and I know there are a lot of people who care but may not have the tools, or feel overwhelmed on where to start.

As a busy mom, what are the top 3 reusable items do you think everyone should carry in their totes / cars?The one thing we cannot ever leave the house without is a reusable water bottle for each person. We always bring them with us into restaurants to avoid those annoying plastic ‘kid cups’ that are everywhere. I also keep in my purse a stainless-steel straw, real fork, and real spoon for each kid. You’d be surprised how much they come in handy and they prevent so much single-use plastic waste.

In addition to rethinking the use of disposable diapers to be worn 24/7 by little ones, what other baby-related item do you think Moms should consider if they are concerned about their carbon footprint?This kind of goes along with cloth diapering, but we still use them today. When my kids were in cloth diapers, I used reusable cloth wipes made from cut up old t-shirts. We washed them along with the diapers, and they are so handy. Even now that my kids are 4 and 7 years old we still use them – although the originals have been replaced as they eventually got worn out. I keep a stash in my car along with a small spray bottle filled with water for those inevitable spills, nose wipes and those moments when you go to drop them off at preschool and realize that you forgot to wipe the oatmeal off their face, ears and hair. Most commercial baby wipes have plastic fibers that are not biodegradable. They make their way to the ocean and wreak havoc on sea creatures. I understand that when you are new to the parenting game you’ve got to choose your battles. Above all else just try to do one new thing when you have room to add it to your life. Don’t get overwhelmed with doing everything at once.

It's great to have a resource like you in our community! Any upcoming events that we should know about?I’m having a pop-up shop on October 6th at the Vegan Fest in Bixby Knolls and another one on October 27th at the Urban Hive Market at the Pike. I will have cloth produce bags, bulk liquid soaps (like Dr. Bronner's Castile), organic loose teas, natural cleaning supplies, reusable stainless-steel containers & straws, and more. Everything available package free. You are encouraged to bring your own container for refills.

Please be sure to check out Julie's Instagram page, @BringYourOwnLongBeach for weekly inspiration + photos like the ones below, taken by her! All of us can do better, especially in the kids' department (so much waste, ack!).

Families in Long Beach are spoiled by the public library program. The libraries here host amazing programing year-round, clean + friendly locations and a very entertaining Instagram page, among other things. This year, the LBPL was awarded the 2017 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, "the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. The award has celebrated institutions that respond to societal needs in innovative ways, making a difference for individuals, families, and their communities for 23 years." (City of Long Beach press release, 05/16/17)Lucky for us, the staff at LBPL is a true reflection of the honor bestowed on the program. Lynda Poling is the Senior Librarian at the El Dorado Neighborhood location and she gave us an inside scoop on some of her favorite books for parents and little ones currently on the shelves. Check them out below!

Now by Antoinette Portis.A girl describes all her favorite things in the world.

Skip to the Loo, My Darling! by Sally Lloyd-JonesBack to School season means a lot of time focusing on potty training for some parents. This adorable story makes the process a bit more fun for the littles.

When you first have a baby, it is easy to constantly compare yourself with others. Some of that is for trivial reasons ("ugh, that stroller bag is way better than mine!") but mostly us Moms are looking to others in our situation because we are clueless and we look for any hints, cues - any form of guidance! As you develop your own systems + your little one grows, the need to compare drips away. However, there is always room to learn from others, especially when it comes to the dreaded "time management" conversation. Whether it is your own time, your son's/daughter's time or your partner's time - it can often feel like we just don't have enough of it.

I've asked several local Mamas to share their secrets when it comes to time management. Their answers were really thoughtful and fascinating - each woman has her own system that works for her + her family. How would YOU answer?

In one sentence or less, share with us your best method to manage time.Becky Allison (Mama of 1 with another little on the way; graphic designer): I live by Google Calendar, which I share with my husband, and try to stay as organized as possible.Rachel Maniago (Mama of 1; PR consultant): To-do lists, timers, and discipline. Christy Thiessen (Mama of 1; event planner / small business owner): Created a consistent schedule during the week - I am a lot calmer knowing what our week (ahead) looks like. Jen Bedrossian (Mama of 2; small business owner): I've found that mapping out my day first thing in the morning is crucial - my top three work-related priorities alongside the daily to-dos (soccer, school, swim, etc.).

How do you best manage work expectations? Elizabeth Clark (Mama of 2; yoga instructor and doula): I try to get 1-2 things done every day that I can cross off the list and move on from. Whether it's an "official" work task or a household need, I only hold myself responsible for those 1 or 2 bullet points. The exception of course is when I don't have the kids all day and then I try to cram in 42 work tasks (into the day)! Becky Allison: I make sure to give myself some leeway by setting realistic deadlines and never over promising that I can get something done in a short amount of time. If your clients respect your time and craft, they will be understanding. Lyndsey Yeomans (Mama of 2; small business owner): This has gotten easier with practice. I think as a new Mama, sometimes we have this innate need to try to carry on as we did before, plus baby, and not skip a beat; then you hit that wall that shakes everything into perspective. You then learn how to set realistic goals and expectations. The key for me is staying real in my work and trying to stay fluid in it, because that "to-do" list never really goes away.

I remember that I am doing the best I can, when I can, with what I have. 

— Meredith Wilson (Mama of 3; small business owner)

How do you manage carving out time for your own health and wellness?Meredith Wilson: I've started getting up before the kids (WHICH I HATE) and working out for 30 minutes. It sets the tone for the day and I need that endorphin boost. I also give myself 20-30 minutes to eat my lunch and read a book during the littlest's nap time. It is life giving.Jen Bedrossian: By working out three times a week and taking 5 minutes every morning and evening to do my skincare routine - I always spend a bit more time in the evening! Rachel Maniago: In all honestly, I'm still figuring this one out, but I've found that finding an activity/class with a friend that enjoys the same thing and going on a consistent schedule keeps me accountable and adds a layer of social fun as well.Christy Thiessen: Being a happy mom makes for a happy family. My husband and I both value "me time" to recharge our minds and I feel like it makes us better parents. I try to be social once a week after Edie goes to sleep.

How do you manage family life, in particular when there are multiple littles in the household?Lyndsey Yeomans: I don't know if I manage so much as I prioritize. My boys come first. They know I work, and sometimes they come along, but I try not to overlap the two... I've never been great at dividing myself at once, either they lose or my work does, so I choose to keep them separate. We have some amazing sitters that allow for a few hours here and there for me to work during the week, but mostly I get the long runs done at night or the weekends, and for now that works for us.Elizabeth Clark: I have given up on the idea of "balance" and really I'm embracing the idea of seasons (even short ones within a longer one). Becky Allison: It's been a challenge with my husband working full-time and getting his MBA, but we make sure to fit in fun excursions and outings to look forward to when we are all free. Also, now that I'm working full-time, we get the house cleaned every other week, which has been a total game changer. Before I felt like I was constantly consumed by trying to keep the house clean, which took away time spent with my husband and daughter.

We abide by the magic words of Mary Poppins, “in every job that must be done, there is an element of fun”, so whether we’re grocery shopping, cooking or cleaning the house, we try to make it a shared activity that each of us has a role in and can do together. 

— Rachel Maniago

The consensus here is that things can be done and things can be fun - it just takes some maneuvering and acceptance of things that may seem less than perfect. Love hearing all these ladies' tips and methods - thank you all for sharing!

All four seasons are typically awesome when you live in a beach-hugging city in Southern California. A Summer in Long Beach though, that's something extra special. Afternoons are often well spent playing in the sand or by the pool. Long bike rides all across town. Ice cream shop hoppin' from Bixby Knolls to Belmont Shore. When there is a moment to breath and have some free time, it is such a refreshing luxury to pick up a good book. No "how-to" kid books here, these are all meant to nurture our brains and hearts without having to worry if you're doing everything right! The below are our most anticipated books for the season (and yes, a few have been on the bookshelves for a while. Blame #MomLife for not getting to them sooner!)

1. If you loved Girls, word on the street is that you must check out Fly Meby Daniel Riley

3. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur ... because you or someone you know has most likely pinned her beautiful words on a board or re-grammed her prose on Instagram. In our opinion, reading from the book feels best.

4. The movie "Arrival" was a 2016 favorite. Did you know it's storyline was based on a series of tales called Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang? You do now.

5. Since the arguments surrounding the merits of science seem so deafening lately, we think its a good idea to check out Astrophysics for People in a Hurryby Neil deGrasse Tyson. Your brain does enough big thinking throughout the day, so take in the big ideas in easy to digest bites. And you may even impress your kids with your galactic knowledge!

6. Curling up with sticky notes and new cookbooks can be really fun when you have a good option in hand. Check out this stunning new one, Simple Fare: Spring and Summerby Karen Mordechai for your next foodie gathering.